Abstract

Apparatus and methods for controlling physical access to a location include an entry system including at least one barrier at the physical location, with the barrier configured to selectively permit access into and/or from and/or within the physical location upon proper credentials and/or authorization. A cellular device is connected to or integrated with the entry system and is configured to transmit and receive voice and/or data information to the entry system that includes the credentials and/or authorization. The cellular device can be a retrofit to prior art/installed systems, can be external to an otherwise operational system, and/or can be integrated natively into the entry system. Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine the power status and network link state of the cellular device and/or to establish communication through/to same, as well as for the cellular device to be connected to and control a plurality of entry systems and/or barriers. A plurality of entry systems and/or barriers can be controlled by one or more cellular devices, and the usage (and associated billing charges from cellular service providers) on any/all of those cellular devices monitored and selected to optimize (reduce) the expense of any data or other charges imposed by a cellular carrier associated with the cellular device. Optimization can include allocation to the aforementioned voice and/or data cellular plans related to specific of the plurality of entry systems and/or barriers.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04M 11/00 - Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• G07C 9/00 - Individual registration on entry or exit
• H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
• H04M 1/725 - Cordless telephones
• H04W 4/14 - Short messaging services, e.g. short message service [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• H04M 15/00 - Arrangements for metering, time-control or time-indication

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simplifying and improving the reliability of communication between end users and access control systems such as those that include door and/or gate controllers, tenant access to buildings, and the like. In certain embodiments using an analog modem at the controller end of the system, the corresponding remote analog modem (which communicates with that analog modem at the controller end) is not within the direct control of the end user, and the end user's communicates instead via the user's standard hardware/software for communicating generally, such as via the Internet. Depending on the application, the control data can be maintained and/or synched at any selected combination or sub-combination of several locations: (1) the user's local system; (2) an intermediate server system; and/or (3) the controller end system. Preferred communication connections between the components provide improved ease of installation and use and reliability, as compared to prior art systems in which an end user's analog modem must be configured to directly communicate with a corresponding analog modem on a selected control device (such as a gate or door controller). Corresponding telephone/voice control preferably is also provided within the system, via POTS, a cellular telephone connection, VoIP, etc.

IPC Classes  ?

• H04M 11/00 - Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• H04M 11/02 - Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with bell or annunciator systems

Goods & Services

radio recievers and hand-held radio transmitters for operating access doors and gates

Goods & Services

radio receivers and hand-held radio transmitters for operating access doors and gates

Goods & Services

Parking arms in the nature of metal gates for car parking facilities; Metal traffic control barriers; traffic control spike systems incorporating metal spikes in a frame to be placed in the path of vehicles Electronic controllers for operation of movable gates; illuminated metal traffic signs; power backup controllers; programmable access controllers for providing access to doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits; telephone entry systems consisting of box and associated electronic circuitry, for use with doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits; intercom units and related electrical circuitry allowing for communication between telephones at different locations; radio receivers; radio transmitters and hand-held radio transmitters; electrical ground control loops for sensing vehicular traffic for doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits; electrically operable keypads used for doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits; key switches and card entry readers for doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits Parking arms in the nature of non-metal gates for car parking facilities; non-metal traffic control barriers

Goods & Services

Parking arms in the nature of metal gates for car parking facilities; Metal traffic control barriers; traffic control spike systems incorporating metal spikes in a frame to be placed in the path of vehicles Electronic controllers for operation of movable gates; parking arms; utility doors and doors; traffic control barriers; traffic control spike systems incorporating metal spikes in a frame to be placed in the path of vehicles; illuminated metal traffic signs; power backup controllers; programmable access controllers; telephone entry systems consisting of box and associated electronic circuitry; intercom units and related electrical circuitry allowing for communication between telephones at different locations; radio receivers; radio transmitters and hand-held radio transmitters; electrical ground control loops; electrically operable keypads; key switches and card entry readers Parking arms in the nature of non-metal gates for car parking facilities; non-metal traffic control barriers

Goods & Services

Parking arms in the nature of metal gates for car parking facilities; Metal traffic control barriers; traffic control spike systems incorporating metal spikes in a frame to be placed in the path of vehicles Electronic controllers for operation of movable gates; illuminated metal traffic signs; power backup controllers; programmable access controllers for providing access to doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits; telephone entry systems consisting of box and associated electronic circuitry, for use with doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits; intercom units and related electrical circuitry allowing for communication between telephones at different locations; radio receivers; radio transmitters and hand-held radio transmitters; electrical ground control loops for sensing vehicular traffic for doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits; electrically operable keypads used for doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits; key switches and card entry readers for doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits Parking arms in the nature of non-metal gates for car parking facilities; non-metal traffic control barriers

Goods & Services

Parking arms in the nature of metal gates for car parking facilities; Metal traffic control barriers; traffic control spike systems incorporating metal spikes in a frame to be placed in the path of vehicles Electronic controllers for operation of movable gates; illuminated metal traffic signs; power backup controllers; programmable access controllers for providing access to doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits; telephone entry systems consisting of box and associated electronic circuitry, for use with doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits; intercom units and related electrical circuitry allowing for communication between telephones at different locations; radio receivers; radio transmitters and hand-held radio transmitters; electrical ground control loops for sensing vehicular traffic for doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits; electrically operable keypads used for doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits; key switches and card entry readers for doors, utility doors, gates, facilities, entrances, and exits Parking arms in the nature of non-metal gates for car parking facilities; non-metal traffic control barriers

Abstract

In one embodiment, the present invention describes a gate closure system 5 having a barrier or gate operator for moving a gate 15 between a gate fully opened position and a gate fully closed position. The gate closure system 5 preferably further includes, among other things, a master control board 20 with input and output points to receive and transmit data associated with movement of the gate 15, including a panic control override mode circuit 50 input to the master control board 20 that negates all gate movement parameters during any portion of the gate's travel path to open or close the gate at a substantially greater rate of speed than typically used to open or close the gate during normal operation, regardless of the gate's speed, torque, direction of travel (forward or backward), or whether the gate 15 is stationary.

IPC Classes  ?

• E05F 15/18 - with other electrical means, e.g. solenoids